Middle English, to apply a warm substance to, from Late Latin fomentare, from Latin fomentum compress, from fovēre to heat, soothe; akin to Lithuanian degti to burn, Sanskrit dahati it burns
verb
to promote the growth or development of : rouse, incite
foment a rebellion
inciteinstigateabetfoment mean to spur to action. incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating. instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.